Pneumatic piano-playing mechanism.



I G. P. BRAND. PNEUMATIC PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

Patented July 13, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLIOATIONEILED JULY 221907.

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G. P. BRAND. PNEUMATIG PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM. APPLIGATION FILED JULY 22, 1907.

928 102 Pat'nted Ju1y 13,1909.-

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n N lulllllilllllll" IHIIH l Hil IiIll/qflMl lllllfllllllllll I. llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ll G. P. BRAND. PNEUMATIC PIANO PLAYING MEGHANISM. APILIGATION FILED JULY 22, 1907.

' 928,102. Patented July 13, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N I l v ll G.P.BRAND.

PNEUMATIC PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APILIOATION TILED JULY 22, 1907.

Patented July 13, 1909. A

6 SHEETS-SHEBT 4.

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"m H H A N musaws. AW

G. P. BRAND.

PNEUMATIC PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1907- Patented July 13, 1909. I 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

' borough of the Bronx, city, county, and- "moval and rep cnones, r. BRAND, or new YORK, N. Y.

PNEUMATIC PIANO-PLAYING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jul 13, 1909.

Application filed July 22,1907. Serial No. 384,881.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnomes P. BRAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Pneumatic Piano-Playing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. My im rovements relate to pianos designed to e played either automatically by pneumatic apparatus, or designed to render the arrangement of the parts more com act, and to facilitate the reacement of the automatic mechanism when desired,'to give accessyto the interior of the, piano or to adapt "it to self playmg mem ers of the hand playing.

The invention consists essentially in the special construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed spe cifically, distinguishing features being the use of an upper removable frame upon which are mounted the. motor, re-wind mechanism, actuating neumatics and chest work, which latter is formed with coupling blocks adapted to be secured to intermediate port blocks conimunicating'with the tension chest; in securing the'pedals and exhaust mechanismrigidly together to constitute a lower frame and. connecting the latter with the tension chest bycoupling boards; in pivotally supportin the tension chest upon the underside of the ey bed of the piano frame in arranging'the pumps immediately underneath the tension chest so as to economize space; in pivoting the,heel links for the pedals on rear-- wardly extending brackets on the stationary members of the pumps and the toe links thereof directly to but behind the movable members of the pumps {and in centralizing and supporting the lower portion treadle and pump from and upon the piano sill b pins fitting in feet on the stationary forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1', is a perspective view of a piano to which my mechanism is applied the front board and fall board being removed; Fig. 2, is a like view of the piano, the upper and lower frames of my iano playing mechanis being omitted; ig. 3, is a perspective view of the upper removable frame, andthe parts whichit sup orts Fig. 4, a perspective view of the lower rame removed; F 5, is a front elevation upon an enlarged 86846 of the by hand; and arethe cou ling boards and the upper one of t e pumps; Fig. 12, is an elevation of of the pumps all as hereinafter set parts essential to an understanding of my invention, certain parts being broken away centrally and only the. necessary portions of the lane frame being shown 6, is. a vertica section upon plane of line 66 Fig. 5, looking toward the left; Fig. 7, is a vertical section upon plane of line 7 -'-7 +Fig. 5 looking toward the right; Fig. 8, is a viewof the upper face of the intermediate port block shown in Fig. face of the intermediate port block shown in Fig. 7; Fi 10, is a section upon plane of line 1()10- 4 ig. 5, looking towardthe left hand side; Fig. 11, is a central vertical section through one of the tension chests and one of part of the inner face of' one of the coupling boards. Fig. 13, is a vertical central transverse secthe same scale as Fig. 5, showing the pedals unfolded and in position for use Fig. 14, is a like view showin against the backoardl In the drawings a, (1, represent the piano frame, and are the means by and through which communication is established between the valve chest work C above, and the tension chest. D, below; Thus, each in- 6; Fig. 9, is a view of the upper usual side or end members of an upright piano, and a, the key bed thereoffi Rigidly at;- tached to said hey bed a, near the opposite tion of the lower frame and connections upon the pedals folded inward termediate port block b, b, is formed with a chamber 11 in the body thereof which communicates through the conduit (1, flexible tubing (1', and conduit (1 with the low ten-v sion chamber (1 in the tensionchest The tension chest D is permanently hinged to the under side of the key bed a, or other stationary part of the piano frame, as will be understood by reference more particularly to Figs. 5, 10, 13 and 14, d", being the hinges upon which said tension chamber D is en ported through the medium of the 5 suspem ers (i as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

,' Under normal conditions the low tension chamberd", is in constant communication with the tension chamber 11?, in the mtermediate port blocks 1),.7) The area of com munication between thelow tension e m; ber d, and the high tension chamber d, 'the tension chest is regulated and controlled in the usual manner and by mechanical expedients which it'is not necessary to show or describe herein. The means for connecting the high tension chamber d, with the exhaust pumps are however of especial 1mortance in this construction and form a eature of my present invention. For t h1s purpose I employ coupling boards E, WhlCll are detachably secured to the tension chest D, as by means of thumb screws e, passing through said board and through the partition between the high and low tension chambers (i and d, and engaging with a nut c, on the rear side of the tension chest D, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 11 and 12. These coupling boards E are each formed with a chamber 6 communicating through one or more ports e with the high tension chamber d", in the tension chest D when the parts are coupled together by the screws e, as shown in the drawings, and also communicating through ports a, with the interior of the pumps F, to the stationary members If, of which the lower portion of said coup ing boards E are rigidly secured. Thus communication between the exhaust mechanism and the high tension chamber (1, of the tension chest D, is established, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 11, 13 and 14,the line of communication being indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12. The stationary members f, f, of the exhaust pumps F, are united by a rigid connection f above, and by the parallel rigid connection f 2 below, so that said coupling boards E, stationary members f, rigid connections f and f constitute practically and essentially a rigid, integral frame work which I designate the lower detachable frame L, in contra-distinction to the upper detachable frame U hereinafter described.

The pedals 1, are supported upon the lower frame L, as follows. The pedals themselves are pivotally connected at their heels to the front bar or rest 2 formed with the legs 3, terminating in the cushions 4. Extending from and secured rigidly to the extremity of the rest 2, are the heel links 5, the inner ends of -which are pivotally connected to the inner ends of brackets 6, the outer ends of which are rigidly secured to the stationary members f, of the pumps F. These brackets 6 extend rearward to afford a oint of pivotal connection for the heel lin s beyond the movable members of the pum when the latter are fully inflated, as will e seen by reference to Figs. 13 and 14. The toe links 7 are pivotally connected to the lower ends of the movable membcrs f", and at the rear thereof, so that when the pedals are folded upward and against the ack board f as shown in Fig. 14 they will be at the rear of both pivotal points of support for the links as in Fig. 14;, and beyond the movable members of the pumps when de--' Hated. By this means the greatest possible economy of space is effected, since when the lower frame L is in position the back board f rests immediately in front of the strings and performs a double function in that it acts as a screen therefor as well as a rest for the pedals when folded up. The back board f, is supported in position on the lower frame L by an extension or base f", the for ward portion of which is secured to the lower bar f while its upper portion is connected with the upper bar f by a brace f By this construction the pedals and connections may be quickly and conveniently folded inward and out of the way within the front of the piano and beyond the piano sill when not desired for use, and in this position they are best adapted for removal with the lower frame L, when the latter is detached from the tension chest D.

By attaching the stationary members of the pumps F to the inner sides of the coupling boards E, E, immediately underneath the tension chest D, I attain a neat and con1- act arrangement of parts, well within the front of the piano frame, a construction which obviates all need of modifying the structure of any standard piano frame to which my improvements may be applied.

Attached to the lower edges of the stationary members of the pumps F are the bearings or projections which I designate feet f These are designed to rest uponv the top of the sill 0. of the piano frame; and they are preferably formed with holes or recesses f for the reception of pins or )rojections (1., upon the upper side of t e sill. These feetf, and pins 0., centralize and support the lower end of the removable frame L when in position in the piano frame. This lower frame L and connections, shown as detached in Fig. 4, may be easily and conveniently applied to or removed from the tension chest D, by a simple manipulation of the thumb screws e, pneumatic communication being thereby established .or broken away between the tension chamber D and the exhaust mechanism without coupling or uncoupling pipes or tubing of any kind, thereby greatly simplifying and expediting either operation.

A port 6 is formed in the face plate 7), of

each intermediate port block 9, I), and a dowel pin 7), projects upward from said face plate I), for the purpose of centralizing the valve chest blocks H, II, upon and with relation to the intermediate port blocks b, b,- said dowel pins if, fitting in holes it, formed for their reception in the underside of said valve chest blocks H, II, as shown in Figs, 6 and 7. Thus the passages h, in said valve chest blocks H II, are made to register accurately with the ports N, in the llltt llluk diatc port blocks 1), 11. The valve chest chest blocks enga e with nuts i, countersunk in the port blocli s b, b. Thei Ipassages h, in the valve H, communicate through ports h ,'with the valve chests J, attached to and extending between said valve chest blocks H, H, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 5, thus also rigid y connecting said valve chest blocks H, H, together. Uprights '.I of the valvechests J, J, and support a cross bar M, which is in turn rigidly attached to said upri hts K. The valve chest blocks- H, H, va ve chests J, J, and said cross barM thus constitute practicall the integral detachable up er -frame hereinbefore referred to, w ich maybe .quickly andconveniently attached to or detached from the intermediate port blocks'b, b, by means of the thumb screws '5.

Mounted'uponthe cross bar M, is the mo tor N, re-wind mechanism 0, tracker bar 0,

and connections for controlling the music a port it, in'the valve chest block H,

sheet 0, asset forth in my concurrent application No. 384,882 filed July 22,1907, although I do not confine myself in this connection to the identical construction and arra ement ofparts therein'shown and descri ed, which are indicated more or less symbolically,[the tracker bar communicating in any case through the usual-tubing n with the primary valves which control the secondary valves by whichthe-playing .pneumatics n, areactuated substantially as set forth inmy Letters Patent 1 No. 852,161 dated Apr 30, 1907, or in any equivalent manner that may be found most expedient. The motor N, is connect-ed'by-tubing n, with which ort h, coincides with the port b in the Intermediate portjblock b,as shown in Fi% 6, the latter. port b communicating throug suitable tubing with a governor interposed in the usual manner between the motor and the hi h tension chamber d", of the tension chest It will be seen that by a simple manipulation of the thumb screws 11, i,-t'he upper frame tions, maybe quickl other reasons, and this may U with all its connections may be removed or replaced without disturbing or connecting or disconnectin tubin -or parts other than the valve chest b ocks H, with relation to the intermediate port blocks 12, 'b.' Thus either or both the upper frame U and the lower frame'L, each as a whole with its connecmoved or replaced 'w enever desired to give access to the interior of the piano, to adaptit to be more readily played be accomplished without the uncoupling of pipes or tubing.

Furthermore when the lower frame L is re.- moved, by simply disconnecting the-flexible sections ,'d', of tubing from the conduits d,

K are attached rigidly to the rear sides 7 bed of the piano 'scribed and conveniently reby hand, or for d, the tension chest D-a'nd connections may be swun forwardto give access to the lower part of t epiano and the rear of the tension chest without the actual removal of said ten .sion chest andconnections, which in no wise interfere with'the playing of the piano by hand. i Q

It is to be noted that the special construction and arrangement of, the valve chest blocks H, H, intermediate port blocks 1), b, tension chest D, and coupling boards E are essential and important features of my pres ent invention, rendering the detachable upper and lower frames U and L o erative and practical, with all the atten ant advantages,the thumb screws e and i, affording the sole means of connection and disconnections,.so that both operations may be executed expeditiously and without inconvenience. WhatT claim as my-inven'tionjand desire to secure by Letters Patent is, 1. In a piano, the combination of the tension chest the pedals and pumps, means connecting sald pumps and, with the stationary members of the pum s,jconstituting a rigid frame, and couphng oards attached to the tension chest and formed with passages and ports for connecting the tension chest with an exhaust mechanism, the tension chest beingformed with ports connecting with the ports of the coupling boards.

2. In a piano of the character described,

,the combination of the tension chest, the

pedals and pumps, means connecting said pumps and, with the stationary members of the umps,constitutin 'a rigid frame, and coup ing boards formed with ports and passages for connecting the tension chest with an exhaust mechanism, the tension'chest being provided with ports connecting with the ports of the coupling boards, and means for securing said coupling boards to the tension chest.

'. 3. In a piano supported upon the under side of the key 4. In a piano of the character desi nated, the combination with the tension exhaust mechanism suspended immediately under said tension chest and coupling boards formed with passages and ports connecting said exhaust mechanism Iwith the tension chest, for the .pu-z rpose described.

haust, pumps sus'pended from and immediately under said tension chest and coupling boards formed with passages and ports coinciding with the ports in the 6, In a piano of the character designated, the combination. with :the tension chest and oi' the character designated, the key bed and a tension chest pivotally' frame, for the purpose dedhest of tension chest and in the bellows for the purpose described.-

5. In a piano of the character designated,

the combination with the tension chest of expedal mechanism, of coupling boards, belows and frame members, the 'latter together with the coupling boards and stationary members of the bellows being rigidly secured together and constituting a movable lower frame on which the ported.

7. Ina piano of the character designated, the combination with the tension chest and edal mechanism, of coupling boards, belows and frame members, the latter together with the coupling boards and stationary members of the bellows being rigidly secured together and constituting a movable lower frame on which the pedal mechanism is supported, and a back board rigidly supported 8. In a piano of the character designated, the combination with the tension chest and edal mechanism, of coupling boards, belows and frame members, the latter together with the coupling boards and stationary members of the bellows being rigidly secured together and constituting a movable lower frame on which the pedal mechanism is supported, and aback board and a lower board rigidly supported from the said frame members and removable therewith.

9. In a piano of the character described, the combination with the tension chest and exhaust bellows, of means rigidly securing the stationary membeisol' the bellows tol gether and constituting with said stationary members a removable fewer frame, rearwardly-extending bracket s, the pedals having heel links which are pivotally'secured to said I brackets and toe links vpivotally connected with the movable members ofthe bellows.

10. In a piano of the character designated, the combination with the tension chest, and exhaust bellows, the stationary members of which are rigidly secu red together and formed with rearwardly extending brackets, I and pedals having heel links which are pivotally secured to said inwardly extending brackets and toe links which are pivotally pedal mechanism is sup- 1 I from said frame members.

connected with bellows, and a back board rigidly supported with relation to the stationary members of the bellows and forming a back rest for the pedals when folded.

1 1. In a piano of the character designated, the combination with the tension chest, exhaust and pedal mechanism, of a removable frame consisting of coupling boards rigidly secured to the stationary members of the bellows, cross bars rigidly connecting said stationary members of the bellows, a back board rigidlysupported upon said cross bars in a position at the rear of the thrust of the movable members of the bellows, rearwardly extending brackets rigidly secured to said. stationary members of the bellows, and pedals having heel links which are pivotally connected to said rearwardly extending brackets, and toe links which are pivotally connected to the movable members of the bellows so that the folded may rest against the the pur ose described.

12. n a piano of the character designated, the combination with the tension chest, pedal mechanism, and frame of the piano, of a removable lower frame attached to the tension chest and on which the pedal mechanism is supported, said. frame consisting of the coupling boards, stationary members of thebellows, and cross bars rigidly connecting the same, the other members of the bellows, and feet upon said frame formed with recesses for engagement with projections upon the sill of the piano frame.

.13. In a piano of the character designated, a key bed a tension chest disposed beneath the key bed, and exhaust mechanism disposed beneath said tension chest and connccted therewith by means permitting separation for removal.

. GEORGE P. BRAND. lVitnesses:

D. WV. GARDNER, GEO. WM. MIATT.

back board, for

the movable members of the pedal mechanism when 

